Word
visionary
Phoneticsvi·sion·ary
US/ˈvɪʒəˌnɛɹi/
UK/vˈɪʒənəɹi/
Definitions
01a creative leader
B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun
n. someone who has very creative and original ideas about what the future could be like.
n. a person with original and progressive ideas about how a field, business, or society will develop in the future.
“The company's founder was a visionary who predicted the rise of smartphones.”
“The tech industry mourned the loss of a true visionary whose early patents laid the groundwork for modern wireless communication.”
02having foresight
B2 · Upper Intermediate
adj. having or showing clear and creative ideas about the future.
adj. possessing or showing clear, creative, and original ideas about what the future will be like.
“Her visionary leadership helped the small charity grow into a global organization.”
“The architect was praised for his visionary approach to urban planning, which integrated green spaces into high-density residential zones.”
Usage
Usually placed before the noun.
Synonyms
Antonyms
03idealistic or impractical
C1 · Advanced Formal
adj. describing an idea that is very bold but might be impossible to achieve.
adj. relating to or characterized by idealistic, utopian, or potentially impractical schemes.
“Some critics dismissed the plan for a city on Mars as a visionary dream.”
“While the proposal was admired for its ambition, many board members considered it too visionary for the current economic climate.”
Teaching tip
In formal contexts, this can be a 'backhanded compliment' meaning the idea is beautiful but totally unrealistic.
Synonyms
04a religious seer
C2 · Proficiency Countable noun Religion Literary
n. a person who sees religious visions or has deep spiritual experiences.
n. a person who experiences religious or spiritual visions; a seer.
“The village treated the young girl as a visionary after she claimed to see an angel.”
“Historical accounts describe the mystic as a visionary who provided counsel to kings based on his nightly revelations.”
Real-World Examples
“He posed as a brave visionary; perhaps he even believed that he was giving voice to the displaced white community of the Midlands who felt crowded out by Black and Asian immigrants.” “We are deeply grateful to our patrons for their visionary support and for joining us on the journey to create one of the world’s great new museums.” Etymology
From vision + -ary.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
VERB
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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englishreference.com/q/visionary